Free tickets, VIP viewing for veterans at Honda Classic

The PGA tournament is giving a great big salute to South Florida military in Palm Beach Gardens this week, offering free tournament tickets with the "Birdies for the Brave" program.

Active-duty service members, reservists, retirees, registered dependents and nonretired vets can get free tickets to the four-day PGA tournament, which will tee off starting Thursday at PGA National Resort and Spa.

Pretty nice freebie. Tickets cost $40 per day in advance and $50 at the gate.

A great additional perk is free entry to the Patriots' Outpost, an 8,200-square-foot hospitality pavilion overlooking all the action on the par-3 17th hole.

Best seats in the house. The Outpost is within putting distance from the Waterford Club, an upscale pavilion charging 300 clams a day.

Kick back and have a few free beers in the open-air pavilion as No. 1-ranked Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Adam Scott attack the last hole of the demanding Bear Trap, designed by Jack Nicklaus. Free hamburgers, hot dogs, snacks and beverages will be served daily. Bring military IDs and dependent IDs.

This is the second year free tournament tickets have been offered, but sponsors United Technologies Corp., Pratt & Witney, and Sikorsky Aircraft are rolling out the red carpet this time around.

"We look forward to welcoming local veterans and other military servicemen and -women to the Patriots' Outpost, and personally expressing our gratitude," said Scott Starrett, a Sikorsky vice president, in a release.

Friends and family without a dependent card get in for half-price, too. Ticket-holders can buy up to four tickets a day at $20 each.

Thursday is Military Appreciation Day, with a concert by saxophonist Branford Marsalis, a care-package station to donate to troops, among other fun events.

Get the deal: Go to SunSentinel.com/Honda to register ($1 verification fee) and get military service verified to get free tickets, or call 888-238-9835.